Steam May Have Stayed Too Long

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 14

Steam May Have Stayed Too Long

(frmn Ow Ovn »«>«(«) WELLINGTON, October 12.

The vanishing steam-engine hi but an inspection of the Railways E reveals that in the days of “let the u« steam locomotion may have been reta especially in the South Island. Replying to a question in Parliament earlier this year, the Minister of Railways (Mr Gordon) revealed that 17 years ago, when general costs were much lower, New Zealand Railways paid more than twice as much for its fuel as it does today.

It has been apparent fee Mme time that coal-flred steam locomotives were retained in the South Island for other than economic reasons. More than a generation of politicians talked about the plight of the coal-miner and opposed any attempt to turn to more economic fuels. Main-line diesel locomotives were first introduced into the North Island in 1953 and they progressively replaced steam locomotives until December 1967 when the North Island services became completely diesel. North Island main-line locomotives, mainly the big Ks and Kas, were converted to burn oil between 1946 and 1950. The South Island locomotives were not converted. Progress in the ’ South Island was slower. The first main-line diesels in the South Island were introduced on the Dunedin-Oamaru section and the Otago Central branch in 1956-57. In 1962, Dg diesel locomotives were introduced between Picton and Christchurch. In 1967-68, steam locomotives were withdrawn from the Christchureh-Picton and Otago Central sections and diesel electric running spread to other areas. In the year ended March 31, 1969, the addition of more diesels per-

mitted steam locomotives to be withdrawn from ail areas except the West Coast Although some steam locomotives are retained for main trunk expresses when heating is required, even the goods trains have switched to diesel. On the West Coast the diesel change was completed more than two months ago. Miners* Benefit?

These and other points were made during discussion in Parliament of the Mines and other Estimates on Friday. From the arguments of some members, the impression might have been gained that by turning from coal to imported fuels, the Government and the Railways Department had been disloyal to the miners. However, the retention of steam trains, and particularly coal-burners in the south, when more efficient means of locomotion were available, may have been an economic mistake. Evidence suggests that coal has priced itself out of the market A reason for retaining coal in other countries has been that it can be obtained cheaper than Oil. Indications are that New Zealand can afford the overseas funds spent on oil-fuel. A Ja steam locomotive, hauling a load of 700 tons,

is many devotees; lepartment’s books ior pay,” coal-fired ined far too long—costs 26.3 cents in coal for every mile. A DJ diesel, with the same load, burns 10 cents worth of fuel. Total running costs a mile for the same competitors work out at $1.07 for the steam-engine, 59 cents for the diesel. The passing of the age of eoal-fired steam has taken a long time in this country. It is plain, however, from the Mines Department’s annual report, that fewer and fewer Industries are prepared to use coal as a power source. New Zealand Railways is a big industry. In 1952 its allsteam locomotives covered 15,018,679 miles, at a fuel cost of $5,626,652. The next year, although diesels had begun, the fuel-cost was even higher, at $6,431,802. In 1956, however, with diesels covering 1,554,685 miles and steam locomotives, 14,437,407, the fuel-costs were down to $4,565,764. They have dropped steadily ever since and so, to a certain extent, has the annual mileage covered. The pruning of uneconomic services and the closing of some branch lines brought the locomotive-miles covered in a year down from 16,297,163 in 1953 to a mere 12,970,000 miles last financial year—but this has really accounted for the fuel difference. The fuel-costs dropped from $4,209,390 in 1960 (when twothirds of the running was still by steam locomotives), to $2,523,967 in 1968 (when steam was contributing only 3,000,000 to the total mileage of 12,912,000), and then to $2,385,575 last year. As these costs drop, so New Zealand Railways is being made to pay: and the South Island particularly is coming out of a long-standing yearly deficit Further Improvements, including the abandonment of old and uneconomic stock, are expected to improve the position further next year.